Beware: Falloween coming soon to Portsmouth

Businesses in the historic Boneyfiddle District of Portsmouth will be welcoming guests on October 22 to experience their annual day of events dedicated to the fall season known as Falloween.

“Falloween is Main Street’s largest encompassing event with the most businesses and partners involved in making it a success,” Pratt said. “I think people love the season and coming together to welcome families and children to the downtown.”

Children will have the chance to show off their costumes and win prizes with the kick-off event, a costume contest located at Packrats Antiques, 534 2nd Street at 3 p.m.

Afterwards, Trick-or-Treat begins at 3:30 p.m. Participants will be given a list of participating businesses located up and down Second and Market Streets where they can visit and pick-up tasty treats.

“We are asking parents to accompany their children to this event because the bridge will be shut down and traffic could be a little heavier. In the past we’ve been able to completely close the street but that’s not an option this year due to construction,” said Pratt.

Other events will be taking place throughout the evening including face painting, hay rides, and games. There will also be a variety of trucks and emergency vehicles present for a Touch-A-Truck event from 3 until 5 p.m. at Court Street.

“The thing about this event, is that everything Main Street does for it is free. This is going to be a wonderful event with crafts from Scioto Soil and Water, the Library, Happy Pot and more,” explained Pratt. “We will have food available from many different shops and vendors. We have tons of events and options for kids. It should be a great way to celebrate the fall and spend time downtown with the family.”

The shops along Second and Market Streets will also be participating in a window decorating contest. Votes can be cast on the Main Street Portsmouth Facebook page on the day of the event, or by donating change at the store of choice.

But the night isn’t just for children, pets are also encouraged to participate. At 4 p.m. the Spooky Pooch parade will take place for costumed pets.

A cornerstone of the event is the haunted ghost tour. The tours will be provided between 6:30 and 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased next door to Brain Freeze Frozen Yogurt.

“I really like the foundation of the haunted tour, because it is organized completely by the small shop business owners. These are the folks who are closing late at night and opening early morning. They are there in the dark, when things bump in the night and who knows their building’s supernatural elements better than they do?”

Sharon Bender, of Ghost in the Attic says the event continues to see success and grow each year.

“It will be a lot of spookiness, lots of scariness, and a lot of ghost stories which may or may not be true. I myself have never seen our ghost, but I’ve been told he’s here,” said Bender. “We’ve participated every year they’ve had it and we always enjoy it each year. The tour is going to encompass about 10-15 stops up and down Second Street and Market Street. Who knows? We might be able to see the ghosts.”

A community movie will also be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the field between Court and Market Street, courtesy of Life Point Church.

“We are thrilled to have Life Point Church as a constantly growing partner,” Pratt said. “Chad Monroe and Darrell Nickles are both hard at work to make sure we have a movie for the whole family.”

For more information, you can search “Main Street Portsmouth,” on Facebook, or call 740-464-0203.